Fore sale? Highlands Links rumours abound

The challenging par-5 15th hole at the Highlands Links course in Ingonish Beach is shown in this undated photo, with Ingonish Island in the distance.Submitted by Golf Cape Breton

INGONISH — Though rumours are everywhere, the union representing employees of the Highlands Links Golf Course has not heard anything official regarding any changes to the management of the course.

"I've been hearing the same thing everybody has, a lot of rumours, mainly from our members," said Eddie Kennedy, national executive vice president with the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

"I'm sure that some of these rumours have come from the fact that they have probably seen people up and looking at both of these facilities. There has probably been people looking. Whether or not those have been ones that have met with a successful offer to Parks (Canada), they have not told us that."

In December 2012, Parks Canada announced an effort to find a private operator for the Highlands Links and the Keltic Lodge had ended unsuccessfully after two proposals were rejected.

Before the two facilities went to tenders, Kennedy said, Parks Canada met with the union to outline possible protections for unionized staff should they be privatized.

"My understanding is that they are continually in that process looking for potential operators for the Highlands Links and the lodge but they have not come back to us yet that they have been successful in that process," he said.

Should a bidder be found, he said Parks Canada is obligated to inform the union and they have not done that.

Ben Cowan-Dewar is busy building a second course in Inverness but he too has heard the rumours surrounding Highlands Links.

"I read the allnovascotia piece on Friday which alluded to Scott MacAulay and Tom McBroom's efforts, and certainly over the last few weeks and months a couple of other people, I have heard, have expressed interest, so it certainly seems like there is some genuine interest up there," said Cowan-Dewar, the co-owner of Cabot Links.

"I think it would be good news for golf in Cape Breton and for tourism in Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. Highlands is one of the truly great pieces of property for golf anywhere in the country. I think when you have an asset like that you want to see it in its best form and able to draw folks from all over."

MacAulay, owner of Cape Breton Resorts, did not respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for Parks Canada said no deal has been reached regarding the management or sale of Highlands Links.

"We are looking for a third-party operator who would enter into a lease with Parks Canada," the spokesperson wrote in an emailed response. "These changes will allow Parks Canada to focus on delivering its core mandate to protect and present Canada’s treasured protected places."

If a sale takes place, Parks Canada will remain owner of the course.

In the meantime, the province recently extended the New Castle Hotels and Resorts management contract for the Keltic Lodge, Liscombe Lodge Resort and Conference Centre, and Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa until January 2016 "so that the resorts can remain a significant economic and employment generator in their rural communities," according to a provincial spokesperson.

"The signature resorts are important to communities and the tourism industry and the provincial economy," said Michelle Lucas.

Questions on a potential sale were directed to Parks Canada.

gmcneil@cbpost.com

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